Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and we’re feeling festive! So, pour yourself a margarita, and let’s talk about specializing in Mexico!
After years of marketing beach vacations, Mexico has developed niche markets suited to specific interests or age groups. By identifying and targeting special interests and matching them to what exists in Mexico, travel counselors can encourage clients to experience more of what the country has to offer.
To do that effectively and efficiently, you should invest in educating yourself about this fascinating country. The following is inspired by our Mexico Destination Specialist Course. The Institute offers many in-depth destination courses—and timely webinar recordings like Experience Romantic Mexico—all of which can be found in the Premium Library. If this is a destination you want to explore, let us help you.
Here is a sample of the many special interest options on which to focus for your Mexico-bound clients:
- Cruises: Cruising in Mexico offers a vibrant mix of sun-soaked beaches, rich cultural heritage, and world-famous cuisine. Popular ports like Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta provide a variety of excursions, from snorkeling and ancient ruins to tequila tastings. With both Pacific and Caribbean itineraries, Mexico is a versatile and exciting destination for cruisers.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock.com
- Weddings, Honeymoons, and Romance: Mexico’s rich history and culture entice many honeymooners beyond the beach, although the most popular spots remain coastal. The Pacific coast boasts exclusive resorts amid cliffs and coves, while Cancún and the Riviera Maya offer luxurious Caribbean escapes. Those seeking both adventure and history can go parasailing one day and exploring Mayan ruins the next.
- Adventure Travel: Mexico’s diverse landscape offers thrilling adventure travel. Your thrill seekers or soft adventure enthusiasts can hike in Puerto Vallarta and the Yucatán jungles or go kayaking in the Gulf of California. Visitors also can mountain bike to El Tajín, rappel in Veracruz or raft the Río Santa María in San Luis Potosí.
- Cultural Travel: Mexico’s diverse cultures create a rich melting pot, celebrated through frequent festivals with parades and street parties. Cultural travel includes artisan workshops, village visits, and art and architecture tours, with museums like Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología showcasing its heritage.
- Ecotourism: Mexico offers rich ecotourism, from birdwatching and whale watching to exploring biosphere reserves and national parks. With 182 Protected Natural Areas spanning 35 million acres, ecotourism has thrived since the 1990s, led by private tour operators and interest groups.
- Gastronomy: Food lovers will relish Mexico’s vibrant cuisine. Beyond dining, travelers can take cooking classes, shop local markets with chefs, or attend fall culinary festivals like Oaxaca’s Food of the Gods and Puerto Vallarta’s Gourmet Festival. Be sure to encourage your foodie lovers to expand their palate when visiting Mexico.
- Golf: It’s Tee Time! Top designers like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman have crafted world-class golf courses along the Tourist Corridor, linking Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and the Maya regions also boast scenic courses with stunning coastal and jungle views. So, for those clients looking to experience extraordinary golfing trips adorned by great food, sun, and sand, then Mexico is where it’s at.
- Scuba Diving: Scuba diving is an amazing niche and specialty. Thousands of people enjoy this sport, and Mexico is a top destination. Cozumel offers stunning coral formations, while the Riviera Maya and Costa Maya provide top diving spots, including Banco Chinchorro’s shipwrecks. Isla Mujeres features the unique Sleeping Sharks Cave. In the Gulf of California, divers explore sites in Loreto, La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, and Los Cabos, where hammerheads and manta rays thrive near seamounts.
Mexico remains a popular destination for North American clients. Therefore, there is much to be gained from immersing yourself in this distinctive region. Salud!
